Past AJA Awardees

2023:

• Francis R. “Dick” Ford Distinguished Service Award Darryl Forté, Sheriff, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Kansas City, Missouri
• Valor Award David Kalendek, Deputy First Class, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Bel Air, Maryland
• Innovation Award – Large Jail Tarrant County Sheriff's Office - Military Veterans Program, Fort Worth, Texas
• Innovation Award – Medium Jail Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, Bunnell, Florida
• Ray Coleman Correctional Administrator of the Year Award Steven L. Elrod, CJM, Chief Deputy of Corrections, Garland County Sheriff's Office - Detention Center, Hot Springs, Arkansas
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year Award Albert Mercado, Sergeant, Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, Fort Worth, Texas
• Correctional Training Officer of the Year Award LaToya Jackson, MCJ, BCJ, Lieutenant, Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, Fort Worth, Texas
• Correctional Officer of the Year Award
• ​​​ Eric Peters, Corporal, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, West Palm Beach, Florida
• Civilian Employee of the Year Award Wesley McDuffie, Chaplain, Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, Fort Worth, Texas
• Volunteer of the Year Award Roger Sickler, Volunteer Chaplain, Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, Fort Worth, Texas

• Francis R. “Dick” Ford Distinguished Service Award: Stephen Church, Superintendent (Retired), Rockingham County Department of Corrections, Brentwood, New Hampshire
• Ray Coleman Administrator of the Year: Fred Meyer, Deputy Chief, Las Vegas Metro Police Department, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Daniel Cruz, Security Supervisor, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Springfield, Massachusetts
• Correctional Training Officer of the Year: Veronica Berry, Deputy Sheriff, Broward Sheriff’s Office Department of Detention, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Benjamin Grant, Lead Petty Officer, Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston, Chesapeake, Virginia
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Jacqueline Berry, Assistant Director, Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department, Miami, Florida
• Volunteer of the Year: Linda Ahrens, Volunteer Staff Chaplain, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Chicago, Illinois
• Valor Award: Division 16, Isolation Compound, Cook County Department of Corrections, Chicago, Illinois
• Innovation Award: Century Regional Detention Facility of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles, California

2020:

• Francis R. “Dick” Ford Distinguished Service Award: Richard G. Kiekbusch, Associate Professor of Criminology, University of Texas-Permian Basin, Odessa, Texas
• Ray Coleman Correctional Administrator of the Year: Daniel Junior, CJM, Director, Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department, Miami, Florida
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Mark K. Archambeau, CJO, CCM, CCE, Master Sergeant/USMC, Naval Consolidated Brig Chesapeake, Chesapeake, Virginia
• Correctional Training Officer of the Year: Joseph Celetti, Sergeant, Hampden County Sheriff's Department, Ludlow, Massachusetts
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Tyler Viernes, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Dayton, Ohio
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Jeaneane Booker, Correctional Rehabilitation Worker II, Cook County Sheriff's Office, Department of Corrections, Chicago, Illinois
• Volunteer of the Year: Christopher Luther, Native Language Volunteer, Pueblo of Laguna Detention Facility, Laguna, New Mexico

2018:

• Francis R. “Dick” Ford Distinguished Service Award: Susan W. McCampbell, CJM, President, Center for Innovative Policies Inc., Naples, Florida
• Ray Coleman Correctional Administrator of the Year: Cornita A. Riley, CJM, Chief of Corrections, Orange County Corrections Department, Orlando, Florida
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Belinda Cosgrove, CJM, Captain, Garland County Sheriff's Office, Hot Springs, Arkansas
• Correctional Training Officer of the Year: Wesley Wagner, CCT, CCO, Lieutenant, Licking County Sheriff's Office, Newark, Ohio
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Jonathan Hutcheson, Deputy Sheriff, Johnson County Sheriff's Office, New Century, Kansas
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Frank Mazza, Community Reintegration Program Director, Hudson County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Kearny, New Jersey
• Volunteer of the Year: John Spurgeon, Chaplain, Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

2017:

• Francis R. “Dick” Ford Distinguished Service Award: Arthur M. Wallenstein, Director (Retired), Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, Olney, Maryland.
• Correctional Administrator of the Year: Jamie Clayton, Chief Deputy of Corrections, Imperial County Sheriff's Office, El Centro, California.
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Dawn T. Livers, Sergeant, Sumter County Sheriff's Office, Bushnell, Florida.
• Correctional Training Officer of the Year: Kerrilyn Greathouse, Lieutenant/Training Coordinator, Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center, North Charleston, South Carolina.
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Michael Cheung, Deputy Sheriff, Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Reno, Nevada.
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Melinda Myers Fellner, Director of Inmate Services, McLean County Detention Facility, Bloomington, Illinois.
• Volunteer of the Year: Simon Light, Ute Tribe Public Works Supervisor/Volunteer, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Towaoc, Colorado.

2016:

• Francis R. “Dick” Ford Distinguished Service Award: Bob Barker, Sr, Founder and CEO, Bob Barker Company, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.
• Correctional Administrator of the Year: Raul. S. Banasco, Chief Deputy/Jail Administrator, Bexar County Sheriff's Office, San Antonio, Texas.
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Kenneth J. Pacha, Sergeant, McLean County Sheriff's Department, Bloomington, Indiana.
• Correctional Training Officer of the Year: Tyler Graham, Corrections Deputy, Thurston County Sheriff's Office, Olympia, Washington.
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Jay Rodacker, Jail Classification Officer, San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, French Camp, California.
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Kathy Patterson, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, South West Detention Centre - Ontario Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services, Maidstone, Ontario, Canada.
• Volunteer of the Year: Timothy Rutz, MD, Jail Programs Volunteer, Bexar County Sheriff's Office, San Antonio, Texas.

2015:

• Francis R. “Dick” Ford Distinguished Service Award: Francis R. "Dick" Ford, Former Executive Director, American Jail Association
• Correctional Administrator of the Year: Craig Thomas Rowe, CJM, Major/Warden, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Hagerstown, Maryland
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: James Herrington, Sergeant, Marquette County Sheriff's Office, Marquette, Michigan
• Correctional Training Officer of the Year: Tim Carney, Correctional Training Officer, Tazewell County Sheriff's Office, Pekin, Illinois
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Julie A. Sienko, Correctional Officer, Seminole County Sheriff's Office Department of Corrections, Sanford, Florida
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Melissa Ussery, PSy.D., Director of Mental Health Services, Greene County Jail, Springfield, Missouri
• Volunteer of the Year: Gaylla A. Finnell, Distance Education Coordinator/Volunteer, Imperial County Sheriff's Office, Imperial, California

2014:

• Correctional Administrator of the Year: Lt. Colonel Jeffrey Fewell, CJM, Warden, Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, Kansas City, Kansas
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Joseph Plowman, Sergeant, Kent County Correctional Facility, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Correctional Training Officer of the Year: Lt. Lenny O'Keefe, CJM, CJO, CCT, Training Coordinator, Merrimack County Department of Corrections, Boscawen, New Hampshire
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Lolita Cook, Deputy Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, West Palm Beach, Florida
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Brooke Howard, Detention Programs Coordinator, Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Reno, Nevada
• Volunteer of the Year: Keith B. Jones, Pastor/Ministry Volunteer, Riverside Regional Jail Authority, North Prince George, Virginia

2013:

• Correctional Administrator of the Year: Julie Lawson, CJM, Major/Warden, St. Joseph County Police Department, South Bend, Indiana
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: 1st Lieutenant Charles Richardson, Staff Duty Officer-Adult Detention Center, Loudon County Sheriff's Office, Leesburg, Virginia
• Correctional Training Officer of the Year: Francisco Reyes, Traning Corporal, Imperial County Sheriff's Office, El Centro, California
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Sharon Hall, COrrectional Officer, San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, French Camp, California
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Kimberley Holm, Programs Director, Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, Kansas City, Kansas
• Volunteer of the Year: Ricky Beach, Chaplain, Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, Kansas City, Kansas

2012:

• Correctional Administrator of the Year: Gary V. Smith, Captain/Jail Administrator, Franklin County Sheriff's Department, Carnesville, Georgia
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Shawn C. Laughlin, CJM, Administration Supervisor, Broomfield Police Department, Broomfield, Colorado
• Correctional Training Officer of the Year: Jonathan A. Jusino, Sergeant, Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Sanford, Florida
• Correctional Officer of the Year-Female: Tekkita R. WIlliams, Sergeant, Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Sanford, Florida
• Correctional Officer of the Year-Male: Luis M. Estrada, Correctional Corporal, Imperial County Sheriff's Office, El Centro, California
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Joseph M. Steinbock, Education Specialist, Douglas County Department of Corrections, Omaha, Nebraska
• Volunteer of the Year: Rhonda G. McDonald, Volunteer Chaplain, Davidson County Sheriff's Office, Nashville, Tennessee

2011:

• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Large Jail: Marsha P. Travis, CJM, Administrator, Davidson County Sheriff's Office, Nashville, Tennessee
• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Small Jail: Timothy H. Graver, CCE, Detention Division Commander, Graham County Sheriff's Office, Safford, Arizona
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Romina F. Martin, Assistant Corrections Administrator, Tohono O'odham Nation Corrections Facility, Sells, Arizona
• Correctional Training Officer of the Year: Al E. Ervin, CJO, Corrections Officer, South Correction Facility, Renton, Washington
• Correctional Officer of the Year-Female: Kelcy E. Carothers, Detention Deputy/Sheriff Deputy, Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Sanford, Florida
• Correctional Officer of the Year-Male: Jonathan I. Ede, Senior Corrections Peace Officer, Travis County Sheriff's Office, Austin, Texas
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Byron R. Moore, Program Administrator, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Portland, Oregon
• Volunteer of the Year: Carolyn Silas, Chaplain, Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, Kansas City, Kansas

2010:

• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Large Jail: Major David W. Diggs, CJM, Director of Corrections, Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Sanford, Florida
• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Small Jail: Captain Terry R. Nesvold, Jail Administrator, Burnett County Sheriff's Department, Siren, Wisconsin
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Lieutenant Ronald J. Shaw Jr., CJM, MS, Delta-Squad Watch Commander, Critical Response Team Commander, Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Sanford, Florida
• Correctional Training Officer of the Year: Kim de la Cruz, Correctional Training Officer, San Joaquin County Sheriff, French Camp, California
• Correctional Officer of the Year-Female: Jana W. Rayford, Assessment Specialist, Davidson County Sheriff's Office, Nashville, Tennessee
• Correctional Officer of the Year-Male: Marco A. Mendoza, Correctional Officer, San Joaquin County Sheriff, French Camp, California
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Rhonda L. Copeland, R.N., Jail Nurse, Ogemaw County Sheriff's Office, West Branch, Michigan
• Volunteer of the Year: Michael John A. King, Owner, Monell's Dining and Catering, Jail Volunteer, Davidson County Sheriff's Office, Nashville, Tennessee

2009:

• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Judith Bracco, Lieutenant, Seminole County Sheriff's Office Department of Corrections, Sanford, Florida
• Correctional Training Officer of the Year: Richard Steffen, Corrections Deputy, Thurston County Sheriff's Office, Olympia, Washington
• Correctional Officer of the Year-Female: Sharon Milburn, Corrections Deputy I, Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Memphis, Tennessee
• Correctional Officer of the Year-Male: Eric Estrada, Corrections Officer, Tohono O'odham Nation Corrections, Sells, Arizona
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Vivian Feldman, Volunteer Services Coordinator, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Portland, Oregon

2008:

• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Large Jail: Rick A. Frey, Lieutenant Colonel, Director of Detention, Broward Sheriff's Office, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Small Jail: Kathy Rose, Jail Administrato, Geauga County Sheriff's Office, Chardon, Ohio
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Patty J. Smith, Sergeant, Thurston County Sheriff's Office, Olympia, Washington
• Correctional Training Officer of the Year: Trenton C. Tavai, Correctional Training Officer, San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, French Camp, California
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Willie L. Jones, Corrections Officer, Seminole County Sheriff's Office Corrections Department, Sanford, Florida
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Sharon Abel, Instructor, Lakeshore Technical College, Cleveland, Wisconsin
• Volunteer of the Year: Art E. Brown, Thurston County Sheriff's Office Corrections Facility, Olympia, Washington

2007:

• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Large Jail: Nancy DeFerrari, CJM, Captain, Orange County Corrections Department, Orlando, Florida
• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Small Jail: Gary Christensen, Corrections Administrator, Dutchess County Jail, Poughkeepsie, New York
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Charles E. Davis, Master Correctional Officer, Orange County Corrections Department, Orlando, Florida
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Joan A. Deacon, Senior Librarian, Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, Boyds, Maryland
• Volunteer of the Year: William Barksdale, Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, Columbia, South Carolina

2006:

• Correctional Administrator of the Year: Captain Richard Kaledas, CJM, Jail Administrator, Mecosta County Sheriff's Office, Big Rapids, Michigan
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Lieutenant Terence Griffiths, CJM, Commander-Court Security Bureau, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Tampa, Florida
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Deputy Bret King, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Portland, Oregon
• Civilian Employee of the Year: John Richter, Senior Community Corrections Officer, Orange County Corrections Department, Orlando, Florida
• Volunteer of the Year: Warren N. Kenner, Orange County Corrections Department, Orlando, Florida

2005:

• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Large Jail: Cliff Uranga, CJM, Major, Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Small Jail: Ronald R. White, Director, Scotts Bluff County Adult Corrections, Gering, Nebraska
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Coreatha B. Jones, Sergeant, Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Sanford, Florida
• Correctional Officer of the Year-Female: Charlie S. Toy, Sergeant, Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Correctional Officer of the Year-Male: Johnnie L. Watson, Corrections Officer, Orange County Corrections Department, Orlando, Florida
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Melinda K. Creamer, Cook Supervisor, Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, Winnemucca, Nevada
• Volunteer of the Year: Richard Raines, Reserve Deputy Sheriff, Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, Fairfax, Virginia

2004:

• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Large Jail: Chief Deputy Mark J. Barrett, Esq., CJM, Franklin County Sheriff's Department, Columbus, Ohio
• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Small Jail: Mickey R. Ameigh, Warden, Wyoming County Correctional Facility, Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Lieuteant Jeffrey Orebaugh, Finney County Sheriff's Office, Garden City, Kansas
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Jeffrey Harris, Orange County Corrections Department, Orlando, Florida
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Larry Kent, HIIP Program Coordinator, Onondago County Sheriff's Office, Syracuse, New York
• Volunteer of the Year: Richard E. Mailman, Chaplain, Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Sanford, Florida

2003:

• Correctional Administrator of the Year: Frank R. Hecht, Corrections Administrator, Tohono O'odham Nation Police Department, Sells, Arizona
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Lynn F. Nehring, CJM, Lieutenant, Orange County Sheriff's Department, Santa Ana, California
• Correctional Officer of the Year: James Miles, Corrections Officer, Orange County Corrections Department, Orlando, Florida
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Effie Skinner, Deputy, Harris County Sheriff's Office, Houston, Texas
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Tanya Preza, Community Service Officer, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Tampa, Florida
• Volunteer of the Year: Walter Shannon, Chess Coordinator, Orange County Corrections Department, Orlando, Florida

2002:

• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Large Jail: Davis S. Konrath, Administrative Jail Captain, Brown County Sheriff's Department, Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Small Jail: Keith Bowdle, Lieutenant, Polk County Sheriff's Office, Dallas, Oregon
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Genita T. Burroughs, Lieutenant, Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, Columbia, South Carolina
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Joseph Kramer, Sergeant, Monroe County Corrections, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Priscilla Howard, Registered Nurse, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Rancho Cucamonga, California
• Volunteer of the Year: Sister M. Giselda Fenech, Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

2001:

• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Large Jail: Darnley R. Hodge, Administrator, Riverside Regional Jail, Hopewell, Virginia
• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Small Jail: Lewis W. Barlow, Superintendent, Piedmont Regional Jail, Farmville, Virginia
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Ney Hidalgo, Lieutenant, Pneumansend Creek Regional Jail, Bowling Green, Virginia
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Josephine W. Reid, Classification Officer, Orange County Corrections Department, Orlando, Florida
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Thomas M. Emerson, Corporal, Ocean County Department of Corrections, Toms River, New Jersey
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Renee Rodon, Project Coordinator, Orange County Corrections Department, Orlando, Florida
• Volunteer of the Year: Dr. Abe Macher, Chief Medical Advisor, HIV/AIDS Bureau, Rockville, Maryland

2000:

• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Large Jail: Clifford J. Daniels, Warden, Monmouth County Sheriff's Department, Freehold, New Jersey
• Correctional Administrator of the Year-Small Jail: Michael L. Gregg, Administrator, Greene County Detention Center, Greenville, Tennessee
• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Captain Michael A. Small, Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center, Manassas, Virginia
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Faye Justice, Sergeant, Southside Regional Jail, Emporia, Virginia
• Correctional Officer of the Year: Steven W. Jones, Corrections Officer, Pierce County Sheriff's Office, Tacoma, Washington
• Civilian Employee of the Year: Mike Davies, Orange County Corrrections Department, Orlando, Florida
• Volunteer of the Year: E. Robert Loeb, Washington County Sheriff's Office & Jail, Hillsboro, Oregon

1999:

• Joseph Rowan Award for Correctional Administrator of the Year: David L. Harmon, Superintendent, Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center, Saluda, Virginia
• Howard B. Gill Award for Correctional Administrator of the Year: Wayne Shirley, Commander, Mecklenberg County Sheriff's Office, Charlotte, North Carolina
• AJA Award for Correctional Administrator of the Year: Joseph R. Bochenek, Superintendent, Pamunkey Regional Jail, Hanover, Virginia
• Seymour Krugman Award for Correctional Officer of the Year: Kenneth Hardy, Corrections Office, Orange County Corrections Department, Orlando, Florida
• Bera Casey Award for Correctional Officer of the Year: Barbara J. Johnson, Correctional Officer, Goodhue County Sheriff's Office, Red Wing, Minnesota
• Volunteer of the Year: Joseph D. Biscoe, Chaplain, Wyandotte County Detention Center, Kansas City, Kansas

1998:

1997:

• Joseph Rowan Award for Correctional Administrator of the Year: Steven C. VonWald, Director, Olmsted County Adult Detention Center, Rochester, Minnesota
• AJA Award for Correctional Administrator of the Year: Glendell Hill, Superintendent, Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center, Manassas, Virginia
• Seymour Krugman Award for Correctional Officer of the Year: Michael S. McAuliffe, Correctional Officer, Essex County Sheriff's Department, Middletown, Massachusetts
• Civillian Employee of the Year: Rosemary Harrison, Assistant Director of the Education Department, Harris County Sheriff's Department, Houston, Texas
• Volunteer of the Year: Barbie Withers, Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, Rochester, Minnesota